Milepost 1: Years 1 and 2

The underlying aim in MP1 is to further build on the foundations laid in the early years. We continue to provide a safe, secure and stimulating learning environment that encourages children to become confident in their own abilities. This phase of schooling lays the foundation for your child’s future education. It is at this stage that ideas are introduced that form the building blocks for the more complicated concepts that will be taught later in their schooling.

In English, children are encouraged to interact effectively with the world around them, to express themselves creatively and to communicate confidently using a variety of skills and media.

In Maths, children engage in a wide range of purposeful activities which involve them in different modes of mathematical learning, including playing, exploring, doing and observing, asking questions, reflecting and recording.

International Primary Curriculum (IPC)

All other subjects including Science, Geography, History, Art and Design, ICT, Design and Technology, Music and International studies, are taught using the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). These topics cover the learning outcomes for each subject from the English National Curriculum but allow more flexibility to make teaching and learning appropriate in an international setting.

All IPC topics begin with an exciting ‘Entry Point’ to engage the children and a ‘Knowledge Harvest’ to discover what pupils already know. Teaching is then tailored to ensure the necessary learning outcomes are covered and time is allocated for pupils to investigate areas of interest and to answer questions surrounding the topic.

Each topic ends with an ‘Exit Point’ whereby the pupils showcase their learning. Exit Points range from yeargroup performances to the creation of blogs and webpages. In each case, the school community, including pupils, teachers and parents, is involved.

Activities and trips

Throughout Milepost 1 the curriculum is enhanced with visits to a nearby theatre, a religious symbol (e.g. temple) and various other destinations. During International week the students have a passport to the world and have the opportunity of ‘visiting’ different countries that have been created by each class. We welcome visitors into school to share their expertise and to enrich our curriculum. Finally, enrichment week provides a week of activities exploring a new theme, buddying students with new classmates and teachers from Milepost 1.